Alan Sunderland
Encyclopedia
Alan Sunderland is an English former footballer who played in the Football League
for Wolverhampton Wanderers
, Arsenal
and Ipswich Town
. He was capped
once for England
.
, Yorkshire
, and began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers
as an apprentice. He made nearly 200 appearances in total for the Midlands side, and won the 1974 League Cup
and the Football League Second Division
championship in the 1977 season.
In November 1977, he joined Arsenal
for £220,000; initially a midfielder
, he switched position to centre forward and became a regular, playing in the 1978 FA Cup Final
, which Arsenal lost to Ipswich Town
.
Sunderland's most famous moment came in the 1979 FA Cup Final
; Arsenal had gone 2–0 up against Manchester United
, with goals from Brian Talbot
and Frank Stapleton
, and looked set for victory with only five minutes remaining. However, United scored twice in three minutes, with goals from Gordon McQueen
and Sammy McIlroy
, and extra time loomed. In the very last minute of the match, however, Arsenal pushed forward in a desperate counter-attack; Liam Brady
fed Graham Rix
on the left wing, and his cross was converted by Sunderland at the far post to make the score 3–2, and win Arsenal the cup.
Sunderland stayed at Arsenal for another five years, forming an impressive partnership with Frank Stapleton
for two years; he was the club's top scorer in 1979–80
and 1981–82
, and featured in the Arsenal sides that lost the 1980 FA Cup
and Cup Winners' Cup
finals.
Sunderland also won a single England
cap in a 2–1 friendly win over Australia in Sydney on 31 May 1980, and also represented his country at under-21
(as an over-age player), under-23 and 'B' team
level.
However, after a spate of injuries and the arrival of Charlie Nicholas, Sunderland found himself pushed out of the first team. He joined Ipswich Town
on loan in February 1984, helped them to avoid relegation from the First Division
, and made the move permanent later in the summer. He played for Ipswich until 1986, then had a brief stint at Irish club Derry City
, before calling it a day. Following retirement, he opened a pub in Ipswich, before emigrating to Malta where he coached local team Birkirkara
.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. He was capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
once for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Career
Sunderland was born in ConisbroughConisbrough
Conisbrough is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is located roughly midway between Doncaster and Rotherham, and is built alongside the River Don at...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, and began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
as an apprentice. He made nearly 200 appearances in total for the Midlands side, and won the 1974 League Cup
1974 Football League Cup Final
The 1974 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 1973–74 Football League Cup, the 14th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in The Football League...
and the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship in the 1977 season.
In November 1977, he joined Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
for £220,000; initially a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he switched position to centre forward and became a regular, playing in the 1978 FA Cup Final
1978 FA Cup Final
The 1978 FA Cup Final took place on 6 May 1978 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Arsenal and Ipswich Town. While Ipswich were considered underdogs, with Arsenal fielding a number of well-known players, including England striker Malcolm Macdonald, Ipswich won the match 1–0.Ipswich...
, which Arsenal lost to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
.
Sunderland's most famous moment came in the 1979 FA Cup Final
1979 FA Cup Final
The 1979 FA Cup Final was a football match played on 12 May 1979 at Wembley Stadium. The match was contested by Arsenal and Manchester United. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever finishes in an FA Cup final. For over 85 minutes the game had been unremarkable, with Arsenal taking...
; Arsenal had gone 2–0 up against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, with goals from Brian Talbot
Brian Talbot
Brian Ernest Talbot is an English football manager and former player. His son is Daniel Talbot.-Playing career:...
and Frank Stapleton
Frank Stapleton
Francis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
, and looked set for victory with only five minutes remaining. However, United scored twice in three minutes, with goals from Gordon McQueen
Gordon McQueen
Gordon McQueen is a former Scottish football player, who played as a central defender for Leeds United, Manchester United and Scotland.-Early career:...
and Sammy McIlroy
Sammy McIlroy
Samuel Baxter "Sammy" McIlroy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer whose clubs included Manchester United....
, and extra time loomed. In the very last minute of the match, however, Arsenal pushed forward in a desperate counter-attack; Liam Brady
Liam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
fed Graham Rix
Graham Rix
Graham Cyril Rix is an English former football player and coach. He was fired by Heart of Midlothian in March 2006, which was his most recent role in professional football...
on the left wing, and his cross was converted by Sunderland at the far post to make the score 3–2, and win Arsenal the cup.
Sunderland stayed at Arsenal for another five years, forming an impressive partnership with Frank Stapleton
Frank Stapleton
Francis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
for two years; he was the club's top scorer in 1979–80
1979-80 in English football
The 1979–80 season was the 100th season of competitive football in England.- FA Cup :Second Division West Ham United, managed by John Lyall, won the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1–0 with a Trevor Brooking goal...
and 1981–82
1981-82 in English football
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
, and featured in the Arsenal sides that lost the 1980 FA Cup
1980 FA Cup Final
The 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
and Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1979-80
The season 1979-80 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won on penalties by Valencia CF in a goalless final against Arsenal FC. It was the only Cup Winners' Cup to be decided in this way , and was Valencia's third European title after two Fairs Cup victories.- Preliminary round :- First round...
finals.
Sunderland also won a single England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap in a 2–1 friendly win over Australia in Sydney on 31 May 1980, and also represented his country at under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
(as an over-age player), under-23 and 'B' team
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
level.
However, after a spate of injuries and the arrival of Charlie Nicholas, Sunderland found himself pushed out of the first team. He joined Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on loan in February 1984, helped them to avoid relegation from the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, and made the move permanent later in the summer. He played for Ipswich until 1986, then had a brief stint at Irish club Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
, before calling it a day. Following retirement, he opened a pub in Ipswich, before emigrating to Malta where he coached local team Birkirkara
Birkirkara F.C.
Birkirkara Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Birkirkara, the largest town on the island of Malta. In the 2009–2010 season, they were the Maltese champions. The club currently plays in the Maltese Premier League and have been league winners on three occasions...
.
External links
- League stats at Neil Brown's site